Tragedy struck on the West Coast as one tramper lost their life while another was rescued from a remote track. The incident was reported to the police around 6.30pm on Friday when a personal locator beacon (PLB) was activated near the Klondyke Tahu Saddle in Victoria Forest Park, located inland from Westport.
According to The New Zealand Herald, Police Search and Rescue personnel were quick to respond and discovered one tramper deceased and the other alive. Due to adverse weather conditions, the body could not be recovered until Saturday when a helicopter was able to assist in the recovery mission.
The authorities have handed over the case to the Coroner for further investigation, and support is being extended to the surviving tramper and the deceased’s next of kin during this difficult time.
